PORTLAND, Ore. — Northern Colorado struggled with Montana’s 2-3 zone defense, falling to the Grizzlies 55-46 in a Big Sky Tournament semifinal.
The Bears went 18-for-52 from the field and were outrebounded 38-28. Northern Colorado had success with its fullcourt press defense, forcing 24 Montana turnovers. Kim Lockridge led the Bears with 11 points.
MONTANA 55, NORTHERN COLORADO 46
MONTANA (17-14)
Smith 0-0 0-1 0, Ena 2-4 0-0 4, Linford 2-2 0-0 4, De Boer 2-7 5-6 10, Stender 4-9 3-5 11, Nelson 1-5 1-2 3, Baker 3-9 10-10 16, Hurley 0-2 0-0 0, Sullivan 3-3 0-0 7. Totals — 17-41 19-24 55.
NORTHERN COLORADO (17-13)
Oosdyke 1-5 5-6 7, Brown 1-6 0-0 2, Fernandez 2-3 0-0 4, Strange 5-12 0-2 10, Stoermer 2-9 0-2 5, Marin 0-0 0-0 0, Timm 1-6 0-0 3, Lockridge 4-7 3-5 11, Merrit 0-0 0-0 0, Strand 2-4 0-0 4. Totals — 18-52 8-15 46.
Halftime — Montana 25-20. 3-point goals — Montana 2-11 (De Boer 1-2, Stender 0-4, Nelson 0-2, Baker 0-1, Hurley 0-1, Sullivan 1-1), Northern Colorado 2-14 (Oosdyke 0-3, Brown 0-3, Stoermer 1-5, Timm 1-3). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — Montana 38 (Stender 10), Northern Colorado 28 (Strange 6, Timm 6). Assists — Montana 10 (Sullivan 4), Northern Colorado 11 (Stoermer 4). Total fouls — Montana 16, Northern Colorado 20. A — N/A.
